The World Snooker Championship will remain at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre until at least 2045, with an option to extend to 2050, following a new long-term agreement between World Snooker Tour and Sheffield City Council. The deal secures the tournament's future at its spiritual home since 1977, backed by £45 million in government investment for a venue renovation.
Barry Hearn, president of Matchroom Sport, admitted he let sentiment influence the decision for the first time in his career, citing personal memories from 1981 when Steve Davis won the title. 'My life changed in 1981... Matchroom was a £100 company formed off the back of a Crucible win that is now the biggest sports promotion company in the world,' Hearn said. He added that he would have 'hated himself' had he orchestrated a move away.
The renovation, set to begin after the 2028 tournament, will add 500 seats, increasing capacity from 980 to 1,500. Hearn noted that without the government funding, the championship likely would have moved at the end of the previous deal, which expires next year. 'The Crucible wasn't fit for purpose but now we know we'll get a venue that will be,' he stated.
Hearn acknowledged the deal may not be universally popular, even within his family, hinting that his son Eddie was among those against it. 'Eddie is not a snooker fan, he likes the business of sport... He doesn't have the same passion because he wasn't there,' Hearn said. He emphasised that losing the Crucible would have felt like 'losing an arm,' as 'without the Crucible, snooker just isn't the same.'
